While many might think of fishing as a summertime activity, ice fishing—especially in a gorgeous locale like Winter Park—offers its own share of excitement and seasonal spirit. Learn more about ice fishing in Colorado’s Winter Park area down below!
Partake in this Classic Winter Pastime in Winter Park
The closest ice fishing lake to Winter Park is Lake Granby. Located about forty minutes away from town, this ice fishing destination is known for its excellent stock of kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, lake trout, and brown trout. The lake has over forty miles of shoreline for anglers to try their luck on, with reported catches of lake trout as long as thirty-two inches. It’s also one of the hosts of the Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest held in January of each year, which draws in over one thousand anglers to Lake Granby, as well as the nearby lakes of Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir, to compete for daily cash and raffle prizes. Bait for ice fishing can be purchased at Granby Bait N Tackle.
As we mentioned, Grand Lake is located close by Lake Granby. Not only does this lake play host to the Three Lakes Ice Fishing Contest in January, but it’s also the site of the Annual Grand Lake Catch and Release Ice Fishing Contest in March. This ice fishing competition takes place over the course of two days and gives anglers the opportunity to compete for prizes in three categories: brown trout, lake trout, and rainbow trout.
About an hour and a half from Winter Park right on the outskirts of Denver, you’ll find Chatfield Reservoir—another excellent location to plan an ice fishing trip. While this lake is immensely popular with anglers due to its adjacency to Denver, there are always enough fishing spots for ice fishing because of the lake’s immense size. Species like bluegill, walleye, crappie, rainbow trout, and yellow perch make their home in these waters, and there have been reports of anglers reeling in walleye as long as two feet and rainbow trout from eighteen to twenty-five inches.
Adventures in Granby
Just because you are related, it does not mean you have the same interests. While dad may be excited about a day or weekend of ice fishing, mom and the kids may want to look elsewhere for their excitement, and when in Granby, the Moffat Road Railroad Museum is a popular option! Located at 555 Park Lane, this fascinating museum is a work in progress that just seems to get better every day as it offers both a historic selection of railway cars that are being restored to their original glory and one of the largest model railroad displays in the nation. And while the museum is currently located in a modular building, they have recently purchased the Great Western Depot from Loveland and will be taking it apart piece by piece, transporting it to where the museum stands now, and rebuilding it in a similar painstaking process. We are watching the progress eagerly and can’t wait till opening day! In the meantime, a Christmas version of the model railroad display will be open for viewing from November 27 through January 10th. C
Dining in Granby
After a long day of competing in an ice fishing competition and checking out the tiny trains, chances are you won’t want to wait to get back to your Winter Park Escapes seasonal rental to eat, and that’s ok; there’s plenty of places to try out right here in Granby! Feeling rather chilled after your time on the ice? Brickhouse 40, 320 E Agate Avenue, offers a hearty menu filled with your favorite dishes and a roaring fire in a fireplace to help drive away the chill. Located inside a charming historic brick building, the full bar will help to warm you from the inside out! Looking for something spicy to fill your belly and warm your soul? Azteca Mexican Restaurant can be found just down the street from Brickhouse at 395 E Agate Avenue and offers more than just tacos and margaritas (not that there is anything wrong with that combination!). Their authentic Mexican menu has all the classics you have loved your entire life and a few new treats that you are about to crave forever more. Try the guacamole and your life will never be the same!
Create the Memories of a Lifetime with Winter Park Escapes!
Contact our team of reservation specialists today to find the perfect rental for your ice fishing vacation, such as this luxurious condo rental in Winter Park Resort! Organize a romantic getaway to Winter Park and book one of our romantic vacation rentals today.